Smart solutions for the handling of bulk materials
Stuttgart, August 2014 – On their booth 4-363 in hall 4 at this year’s Powtech exhibition Coperion and Coperion K-Tron present themselves as the comprehensive technology provider for the handling of powders, granules and a wide variety of other bulk materials. On the booth floor, next to the IBP 250 Integrated FFS Packaging Machine Coperion GmbH, Weingarten, Germany, shows its entire range of bulk material and process components in a totally new and innovative digital form. In addition the new Microfeeder family, the T35/S60 Quick Change Feeder with a 2400 Series Powder and Pellet Receiver and ActiFlow™ and the principle of operation behind SFT Weighing Technology of Coperion K-Tron Deutschland GmbH, Gelnhausen, Germany, will be presented.
Intelligent FFS Packaging Machine IBP 250 with automated features
The FFS Packaging Machine IBP 250 with automated features provides accurate weighing, ideal dosing and hygienic packaging for crystalline, granular, beaded or flaked goods. With self-cleaning functions and good accessibility for easy maintenance, operators can rest assured that the processing line will run smoothly. The system features a small footprint and the controls can be navigated intuitively by using a touchscreen. Its modular design allows an easy upgrade of machine performance to be made without replacing the complete system. Check weigher, metal detector, bag marking system and automatic cleaning can optionally be integrated into the system.
Highly accurate feeding and weighing solutions from Coperion K-Tron
Coperion K-Tron’s family of twin and single screw Microfeeders is specially designed to provide maximum accuracy at minimal feed rates, which makes these feeders ideal for use in the chemical and pharmaceutical processing industries. Unique design features ensure that high value ingredients are fed accurately at rates as low as 20 g/hr with minimal residual material left in the feeder. The modular design means more flexibility for the process and easy access to all parts for cleaning and maintenance. The 12 mm and 16 mm twin and single screw feeding modules are completely interchangeable and feed a wide range of free-flowing to difficult powders.
Another highlight on the booth floor is the T35/S60 Quick Change Feeder which is on display together with a 2400 Series Pellet Receiver and the ActiFlow™ Smart Bulk Solids Activator. Quick Change Feeders have been specially designed for applications requiring the maximum possible materials handling and changeover flexibility. The single screw feeding elements handle free flowing powders, granules, pellets and other free flowing materials. The twin screw elements are ideal for floodable powders and more difficult, sticky or hard-to-flow materials. The 2400 Series Powder and Pellet Receivers provide a high capacity sequencing system designed to handle powder, pellet, regrind and granular materials. Each receiver has a stainless check valve to allow multiple receivers to draw material from a common conveying line. Applications include railcar unloading, silo to daybin transfer, in-plant transfer or feeder refill. The ActiFlow™ Smart Bulk Solids Activator offers an innovative method to reliably prevent bridging of cohesive bulk materials in stainless steel hoppers without internal hopper agitation. ActiFlow™ is a non-product contact device, consisting of a patent-pending vibratory drive and intelligent control unit, designed specifically to work with Coperion K-Tron’s line of gravimetric loss-in-weight feeders. Working together with the gravimetric feeder controller, ActiFlow™ continuously activates the material inside the hopper with an optimized frequency and amplitude, without exerting any mechanical force on the bulk material.
Coperion K-Tron’s SFT Technology delivers high-precision weighing, even in difficult environments. Feed rate control is achieved by continuously weighing the entire feeding system and then controlling the rate at which the system loses weight. A demonstration unit will show how state-of-the-art SFT Weighing Technology together with advanced control algorithms can effectively filter out vibrations which may be encountered in a typical plant environment without affecting the weighing accuracy.